Analysis of nodal stress on reinforced concrete two-pile caps supported on steel piles

Abstract

Reinforced concrete pile caps may be designed trough plastic models (strut and tie model) or models based on bending theory. The formulae available for verifying the stress is based on caps supported on concrete piles, with few studies about the stress distribution on caps supported on steel piles. To analyze the structural behavior of caps supported on steel piles, as well as the stress on the superior and inferior nodal zones, four two-pile caps supported on steel piles were tested. The variables were the embedment length and in one of the specimens a steel plate was welded on top of both piles. It was observed that the embedment length has substantial influence on pile cap structural behavior. It was concluded that, to verify the stress on inferior nodal zone of the cap, aside from pile area, an area of concrete confined between the flaps of the pile must be considered.